Experts look at dozens of factors in California dam crisis

Staff, ABC10 , KXTV2:38 PM. PDT May 10, 2017

Officials are warning that residents returning to homes damaged by flooding should be prepared to evacuate again as yet another powerful Pacific storm takes aim at Northern California. (Photo: California DWR)

California released preliminary findings Wednesday from a team appointed to find out why both spillways at the nation's tallest dam collapsed in February. The crisis forced the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people.

The experts say possible factors include a range of flaws in the concrete and foundation of the half-century-old main spillway. That includes possible water flows through cracks in the spillway.

The independent experts' final findings on the causes of the crisis at Oroville Dam are expected to be released next fall. Authorities say the preliminary findings will guide them as they repair the battered spillways.